The Summer of Learning.
Darious
Disclaimer: The Harry Potter series, its characters, settings, and derived plot belong to J.K Rowling, Scholastic, and Time Warner. I gain no money from this publication and take no credit.
CHAPTER 2
With a pop, Harry and Dumbledore appeared in a small, dark room. With his hand still on Harry's shoulder, Dumbledore guided him to the door and opened it. Immediately the light and familiar hustle and bustle of the Hogshead Inn was heard.
Dumbledore took the lead and strolled, there was no other word for it, thru the surly bar with Harry following. Harry, in shock with the knowledge that he would be staying at Hogwarts for the entire summer with Dumbledore as his teacher was the best feeling in the whole world. They walked in silence down the street of Hogsmeade and turned into the sweet shop. With a wink to Harry, they entered the shop and browsed the many treats until Dumbledore had a sack full of his favorites. Harry decided to pick up a few things himself and they paid for their candies and left the shop.
"If knowledge is food to the mind, then candy must be the sustenance of humor. Even a simple thing as a sweet can brighten one's day. Don't you agree, Harry?" Dumbledore said while merrily poking a sherbet lemon into his mouth.
"Sir, you are going to be my teacher for the entire summer? At Hogwarts? Last time I studied Occlumency with Professor Snape. Is there some reason that you have decided to teach me yourself?" Harry questioned.
"Professor Snape has another obligation during the summer, and even though he will be present at Hogwarts, this was my idea. There will be only one other student on the grounds along with you, Professor Snape, and myself. I should hope you won't get bored being in the company of an old man, Harry." Dumbledore said quietly.
Harry looked up into his eyes and said "Oh. No, sir. I was just thinking that....well...with Professor Snape's duties for the...."
"That's enough for now, Harry. Let's get to the Hogshead Inn and take the Floo to my office where we can discuss the matter more privately." Dumbledore rounded the corner and Harry followed down the sidewalk and into the Inn.
After taking the Floo to Dumbledore's office, Harry stepped out of the fireplace, walked across the room, and stood in front of Dumbledore's desk. No matter how many times Harry was in this office, it never ceased to amaze him. All the silvery gadgets around the room, the great number of active portraits along the walls, and the large windows spilling in the morning light all were a welcome of what Harry had come to know as home. Hogwarts was always the same. The sorting hat sat on the shelf near the sword of Godric Gryffindor that Harry had already familiarized himself with in second year. Fawkes was perched on his stand and eyed Harry with what one could only call a welcome flick of feathers. While taking notice of everything in the room, Harry noticed a small glass orb sat on the corner of Dumbledore's desk. Knowing never to touch an unknown magical object, Harry leaned over to inspect the curious object. Swirls of blue and silver looking air danced around inside the small glass ball.
Hearing the rustling of the bag of sweets being poured into a bowl, Harry turned around to the Headmaster. Dumbledore finished with the bag of candy, took off his hat and came to sit behind his desk. Waving a hand to Harry to sit, Dumbledore leaned comfortably back into his large chair and with a lazy sigh began to speak.
"The days of summer here at Hogwarts are some of the most beautiful; however, with the students gone, no one gets to enjoy them. I am sure you can find plenty of things to do while we are not busy with our lessons. Now, is there anything you wish to ask now that we are here?"
Harry was bursting inside with questions, and in a few seconds, he had organized them in some order. "Sir, what is the real reason I am here at Hogwarts for the summer? Is there something that has occurred with Voldemort that I should be made aware?"
Steepling his fingers in front of his chin, Dumbledore stared at Harry for a moment. "After the prophesy was destroyed in the Ministry of Magic and some of the most powerful Death Eaters were sent to Azkaban, Voldemort has not been very active. I suspect that he is regrouping his inner circle and working on attaining even more supporters to carry out his next mission. Voldemort will not act until he is confident that his plans can be carried through and he cannot do much without what he would deem as 'loyal' supporters. This lull in his activity gives the Order a bit more freedom to focus on some things that need to be set into motion. Of course, you know, Harry, that Voldemort is still very determined to have you."
Harry nodded and waited for Dumbledore to continue. With another sigh, Dumbledore continued. "Harry, there is a reason why a wizard child comes to Hogwarts for the first time at eleven years old. At the age of eleven, a child's magic changes into a useable form that he or she can learn to control. With training and guidance, the child learns to use the magic that is within them. Another change occurs in a person's magical strength around the age of sixteen. This boost of strength is the sign of full magical maturity and it is called the "descension." Young witches and wizards each go thru the descension at different times, but always around sixteen. You have already crossed that threshold and your magical ability has increased vastly."
Listening to every word of his Headmaster, Harry asked abruptly, "Sir, how do you know that my magical ability has increased? My birthday is not until July."
With a small smile, Dumbledore replied, "I had you undo the wards at the Dursley's to gauge your magical presence and strength. To tell you the truth, there are only two other people I've ever known to have such strength in their descension as you. One of those was Tom Riddle."
Harry's jaw dropped. Harry wondered what all this meant. He cocked his head to one side and asked "Professor, does a person's magical strength at the start of their descension diminish during their lifetime, does it get stronger, or stay the same?"
"A very good question, Harry. A wizard's magical powers after their descension in most cases stay the same. Even though the amount of magic differs slightly with each wizard child, it is enough for it to function quite normally in the wizarding world. However..."
Harry thought 'now why do I always know there is a 'however' in there somewhere....'
Dumbledore continued "...there are wizards known who's magic increases throughout their lives. These are rare individuals and special training must be given to them for their own safety, as well as the safety of others around them. As you know, emotions are a hard thing to predict and to control. If such a wizard with great power couldn't control his actions and emotions, the potential for disaster could be great. On the other hand, if one such wizard harnesses the raw magic in him and tunes it into his particular abilities, it is of much benefit."
Knowing the answer to his question before he even asked it, Harry raised his eyebrow and questioned, "Sir, are you telling me that I am one such wizard?"
With a great smile and most tender voice, Dumbledore slowly said, "Did you expect any less? I have known this for years, but there was no reason to tell you until your descension." Dumbledore lowered his eyes to the floor for a brief moment, and then returned his gaze to Harry with somber eyes. "There are many things you need to learn and there is limited time. I will not lie to you, Harry. Voldemort continues to increase his number of supporters daily. Thanks to confidential information the Order has obtained, we believe we can somewhat ascertain what Voldemort is planning for the coming year."
Harry just gazed at the floor. 'Preparing me for battle' he thought. 'This is it. This is the year that it will be either him or me. Him or me.' Thinking back on the prophesy that Dumbledore had told him of his birth and his destiny, he recounted in his head '...neither can live while the other survives...'
In his interest, Harry had unknowingly found himself leaning over the desk, arms folded, and looking onto the wood grain of the desktop. Harry raised his head to look directly into Dumbledore's eyes. Neither had spoken for several minutes, but gazing into those clear blue eyes, Harry found answers and a calm settled over him.
It was Harry who broke the silence. "Professor, you said that that two people that you have known had such strength at their descension and that one of those was Tom Riddle. Besides me, who is the other?"
Dumbledore leaned over the desk and folded his arms barely a few inches from Harry's face. "I think you already know."
After a moment of silence, Harry answered. "It's you."
Leaning back to his comfortable chair, Dumbledore stated, "I was aware in my youth, that my magic was somewhat stronger than my classmates. I had very limited special tutoring, but enough to help me learn to channel my strength. My professors helped me as much as they could with controlling my emotions and harnessing any anger. Of course, I didn't have much trouble with emotional control, as my very nature has a mild temperament and my young life was unfettered with such cruelty and loss as yours, young Harry. I have watched you over the years here at Hogwarts, more that you could possibly know. I have seen you grow into a remarkable young man. You have made me so proud of you. Your courage and your ability to use what you have learned to defeat evil repeatedly never ceases to amaze me. However, while living through the things that you did, Harry, you became bitter, and a very angry young man and rightfully so. You have every reason to be angry at what has transpired in your tender years. Your very childhood was taken by Voldemort and a great burden was yoked on your small shoulders at only eleven years old."
Dumbledore rubbed his temples, took off his glasses, and put them on the desk. He gently rubbed his eyes, which were just barely moist. He folded his hands in his lap and looked at his young charge. Harry leaned back in his chair with no emotion whatsoever. The sun was overhead now and the light and shadows in Dumbledore's office had changed.
"Harry, you will stay in your same room over the summer. We will begin your studies tomorrow after breakfast. There are a number of things that I'm sure you have questions about, but we will wait until tomorrow to answer those. I just want you to take the rest of the day to settle in. Oh yes, before you ask, you will be allowed to fly in the Quidditch pitch at your leisure, and to explore the castle as you wish on your free time. All standard school rules apply, such as curfew at 10pm and not venturing into the forest. You will be allowed access to any part of the castle except Professor Snape's personal quarters and the other house's common rooms."
"Thank you, sir." It was almost lunchtime, and he was hungry. If there were no students in the summer, would he have to go to the kitchens for lunch? "Professor, since there are only the four of us here at Hogwarts for the summer, will we still be taking meals in the Dining Hall, or do we need to go to the kitchens?"
With a light laugh, the Headmaster stood and came around to lay a hand on Harry's shoulder, "Ah the blessing of youth. Yes, Harry we will meet for regular meals in the Dining Hall, however there will only be three of us here tonight. The other student will be arriving in three days and will have three classes per week with us. But tonight it will be you, Professor Snape, and I."
Smiling at Dumbledore, Harry thought, 'Great...dinner with Snape every night...I can hardly wait.' The pair made their way out of the Headmaster's office and were walking toward the Dining Hall when Harry asked.
"Sir, who is the other student that will be here over the summer?"
Dumbledore stopped and turned to face Harry and looked down at him. "That other student would be Draco Malfoy."